The Round Hill Society

The home site of the Round Hill Society, a community group of the residents of Round Hill in Brighton, England. The site contains information about the area, latest news and reflections on life in Round Hill.

After Hollingbury ASDA Store remain on this No. 24 for another two stops. The first is Crowhurst Road. Remember to ring the bell as you approach the second, Old Boat Corner. This is in Coldean Lane just before the south junction of the northern section of Ditchling Road. The driver who last let me off here disclosed that it was only the second occasion that anybody had asked him for this little used stop. My previous driver's parting remark at this stop was "enjoy your walk!"

Walking to Stanmer Village from Old Boat Corner (via Upper Lodges) or Ditchling Beacon (via a short eastbound section of The South Downs Way before heading south)Note that there are amenities in the village, including Stanmer Tea Rooms and Public Toilets opposite.

78 bus from Stanmer Village between the church and car parkSat, Sun & Public Holidays - Hourly between 10.30 and 17.30(Journey time to Lewes Rd Sainsburys is 15 minutes)

Bus 26/24 users: if walking to Stanmer Village from Old Boat Corner avoid walking along the narrow and busy Ditchling Road, which has no pavements.

Instead, without crossing any roads, go back (west) down Coldean Lane (100 yards or two) towards or right up to the last roundabout taken by the bus. Keep well in. If you do not wish to retrace the bus journey all the way to the roundabout, it is possible to climb up the grass embankment on your right to the walkers' style before you get there. Otherwise, you can continue to the right (north) of the roundabout where you will find a gentler approach to the footpath.

This footpath, which gets your right away from these busy roads, takes you (north-east) across the fields, ending a little way up the north section of Ditchling Road just opposite Upper Lodges. You will only have to cross the busy Ditchling Road once to start walking along the very attractive bridleway leading to the north-west entrance of the village of Stanmer. This bridleway takes you downhill for a distance of just less than one mile before reaching the village, where you will find public toilets and a tea / coffee shop.

Unless it is a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, you will then have to walk across Stanmer Park to find a bus - No: 25, 25A, 25B 25C from Falmer School on Lewes Road - (or train from Falmer Station) to complete the journey home.

FAQ RE the 79 bus from The Round Hill pub to – Ditchling Beacon Can I leave the 79 bus before the terminus at Ditchling Beacon?

A short bridleway walkIf you have small children &/or prefer to do a shorter circuit using a bridleway suitable for a pushchair, there is a bus stop at Upper Lodges - the picnic area and car park a short way along the section of Ditchling Road continuing from Coldean. The bridleway, running west-east, offers spectacular views and a journey of less than a mile to Stanmer Village.

A medium-length woodland walkFrom Upper Lodges, there is also a footpath, running south-north, which follows the course of Ditchling Road towards the Beacon. Do not walk along Ditchling Road itself since it is much safer on this footpath the other side of the hedgerow.

After one and a half miles you will arrive at Highpark. From there, turn onto the woodland path heading south-east to Stanmer Village, a further two miles of heavier walking.

The bus driver may be willing to drop you off at Highpark. On this section of Ditchling Road, walkers can hail the bus to stop anywhere providing that it's safe for the driver to do so.

Longer walks: Ditchling Beacon and The South Downs WayReally fit walkers can head east along the ridge of the Downs all the way to Lewes (a 6-mile trek). They can then take a 28 or a 29 bus from Lewes High Street back into Brighton using their Saver ticket. The ridge of the Downs is relatively flat, so the 6-mile trek to Lewes is only 50% more wearing than the 3-mile trek (downhill!) from Ditchling Beacon to Stanmer Village.

From Ditchling Beacon to Stanmer Village

The 79 bus terminus is to the west of Ditchling Road within the National Trust Car Park. Cross carefully to the section of the South Downs Way to the east of Ditchling Road. Enjoy the views (and the spectacle of model aircraft!)

Dew ponds on the Downs were used to collect rainwater for livestock to drink. The above view looks back along Ditchling Road (south) towards Brighton. Continue to the left of the picture (east) and get ready to veer southwards (after less than half a mile) down a steep sloping meadow towards the clump of woodland you see in the bottom right corner of the map (above)

Once through the clump of woodland, refer to the section of the map at the top of this page, and continue in a south-westerly direction towards Millbank.

After a little more open walking, descending a steep bank, you will meet the edge of the forest just north of Millbank where the route follows a very attractive woodland path.

This will eventually steer you in a southerly direction. You should notice some pylons when you get to Millbank. You will need to turn off (to the south west) for the final descent (curving back southwards) to Stanmer Village.

The barns mark the north end of Stanmer village. Proceed south into the village, passing the end of the bridleway (by the pond) leading back up to Upper Lodges near the Coldean end of Ditchling Road. The 79 bus back to the Round Hill passes the bus stop at Upper Lodges at 49 minutes past the hour.

Round Hill residents are likely to be no strangers to Stanmer Park and will know that a choice of buses and Falmer railway station are not too far away.

I live near Lewes Road Sainsburys and prefer to do an anti-clockwise circular walk